Travel Guides

Tintern Abbey

Famous Tintern Abbey, a monastery established by William Marshal
('the greatest knight that ever lived') to give thanks to God after
surviving a narrow escape at sea, is one of the most inspiring and
enduring tourist sights that Wales has to offer. The abbey, whose
first inhabitants were Cistercian monks, dates from the early 13th
century and has been well preserved, affording visitors great views
of its majestically-ruined nave, chancel, tower, cloister and
chapel. The surviving buildings span a 400-year period between 1131
and 1536. Even more beautiful, the grounds around the abbey consist
of green fields, craggy, moss-strewn hills, and a stone bridge that
leads across an inlet from the sea.

Gorgeous Tintern Abbey has a long history of inspiring works of
art, from paintings by William Turner to poems by William
Wordsworth, Lord Tennyson and even Allen Ginsberg. Located a mere
stone's throw from the English border, Tintern Abbey makes a
wonderful first stop on a memorable sightseeing tour of Wales. A
stroll up to the Devil's Pulpit provides views over the Abbey from
above, and there are many great pubs near the ruins for a bite to
eat. Be sure to take cameras as Tintern Abbey provides wonderful
photo fodder.